RUB BBQ in East Meadow splits with NYC original

The prestigious Manhattan RUB BBQ —  whose co-owner, Paul Kirk, has been dubbed the ”Kansas City Baron of BBQ” — is no longer affiliated with its four-month-old franchise in East Meadow. RUB co-owner Andrew Fischel said he terminated the relationship earlier this week, citing control issues.

The Long Island spot opened this past August in the revolving-door site that housed Long Fin, BeSi, Ruby's Famous BBQ and Louis & Marxx, all of which were under the aegis of the Singh Hospitality Group. That company is now sole owner of the East Meadow BBQ house, which got two stars in a Newsday review.

East Meadow manager and Singh employee Keith Langan said the restaurant is still up and running but has already changed some recipes. It seems RUB’s proprietary spices are no longer being used. Shortly, Langan said, its name will also change — probably to Kansas City Rub — once attorneys have signed off on the new appellation.

Pitmasters in East Meadow are Santiago Vargas and Brian Chichester, both of whom trained at RUB BBQ in Manhattan. Their repertoire still includes "burnt ends," $17.95 per pound, as well as baby back ribs, $25.95 full rack, $14.50 half rack, but the spicing is somewhat different. New on the menu: cedar plank salmon tacos, $14.95, and dry-rubbed skirt steak, $17.95.

The restaurant is at  2367 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow, 516-731-4227.

Above: Diners at RUB BBQ in East Meadow